Held in Santa Monica's funk spot, Zanzibar, the place was packed early with well wishers and party people. Baby Stone — the ultimate Stone cover band — warmed the room up with their inherited funkiness while the bar served the crowd. I overheard a bartender arguing with a couple over alcohol content and job duties — "I ordered a double, this drink is weak... Don't tell me about my attitude, do your job and give me a double!" — while I waited for the main event. The music soon stopped, though not because of the dispute at the bar, but rather because the birthday boy had arrived.
Sly teased from the back of the club — making everyone in the house jerk their heads around and look for him — as he slowly crept toward the stage, the band geared up and proceeding to tear the roof off!
George Clinton hands Sly the mic!
Sly rocked and shocked the house, taking to the stage in a Scottish-looking, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Andre 3000 type of outfit. He stood hunched over, the effects of time trying to put a stamp on him and slow him down. Sly is still too funky for that. While he reminded us of his legacy by singing to us once again, video clips of his past performances lit up the back wall. His interviews with Dick Cavett, the Ohio band competition that started it all, and rare footage of Sly funnin' with Richard Pryor all ran in silence, while Sly celebrated his birthday with a few friends and a handful of lucky music lovers.
After giving us a few soul history lessons, Stone disappeared from the stage for a while, and George Clinton lead the funk jam. The night then went on to be a incredibly eclectic, unorganized jam session /party, as grooves dipped and dropped, funk legends joined in and jammed (including members of the Brothers Johnson, Graham Central Station, and P-Funk) and everyone had a good time. A little later in the night, Sly returned and rocked the house for another 20 minutes or so with his unrehearsed antics, before leaving the stage with George.
All in all, the night was filled with surprises and good spirits. Sly Stone and company managed to run through several of their soul standards like "Stand," "If You Want Me To Stay," and a medley of Family Stone/P-Funk anthems including "Tear The Roof Off," "Flashlight," "Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey" and the floating hook "Get Off Yo Ass And Jam."
Article comments